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Lizard scales may differ strongly in form on different parts of the lizard and are often of use in taxonomy to differentiate species (or higher taxa, such as families). For instance, members of the family Lacertidae have large head plates (Figure 2) while geckos have no such "plates" but only very small head scales.
Non-European lizards such as Sphaerodactylus macrolepis also display keeled scales. [3] Klauber (1997) describes how the keels on the scales of Crotalus rattlesnakes are particularly strong mid-dorsally, but gradually weaken on the lateral rows with the ventral scales being smooth. He then references a 1938 study, stating that it "has suggested ...
The scales and scutes of birds were thought to be homologous to those of reptiles, [4] but are now agreed to have evolved independently, being degenerate feathers. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] Carcharodontosaurid theropod dinosaur Concavenator , is known to have possessed these feather-derived tarsal scutes.
Snakes, like other reptiles, have skin covered in scales. [1] Snakes are entirely covered with scales or scutes of various shapes and sizes, known as snakeskin as a whole. A scale protects the body of the snake, aids it in locomotion, allows moisture to be retained within, alters the surface characteristics such as roughness to aid in ...
Squamata (/ s k w æ ˈ m eɪ t ə /, Latin squamatus, 'scaly, having scales') is the largest order of reptiles, comprising lizards (including snakes).With over 12,162 species, [3] it is also the second-largest order of extant (living) vertebrates, after the perciform fish.
The ratio of scale size to osteoderm size and their organization vary by species. [7] The majority of species have a one to one ratio of scales to osteoderms, with little correlation between the layout. [3] In the girdle-tailed lizards, for example, the scales and osteoderms are of the same size and shape and are organized alongside each other.
Named Gondwanax paraisensis, the four-legged reptile species was roughly the size of a small dog with a long tail, or about 1 meter (39 inches) long and weighing between 3 and 6 kg (7 to 13 pounds ...
The skin is tough and leathery, and is shed (sloughed) as the animal grows. Unlike snakes which shed the skin in a single piece, lizards slough their skin in several pieces. The scales may be modified into spines for display or protection, and some species have bone osteoderms underneath the scales. [6] [7]